My air conditioner went out and I was going to put car in reverse to see if the fans were working. When I put the key in I didn't start the car because my key wouldn't go forward or backwards it was just stuck and the steering column locked up. When I first purchased the vehicle in October 2022 I had to have to front end suspension joints replaced the bar in the middle was cracked. It sounded and felt like the motor was going to fall out. I need to replace the back suspension due to very loud noises when driving like something is going to fall apart.
2004 Honda Element electrical problems
18 complaints (6% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,000.
- owner complaints
- 18
- of this car's complaints
- 6%
- typical mileage
- 90,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Horn3
- Wiring1
- Instrument cluster/panel1
- Ignition1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Honda Element electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
Electrical system: ignition
- What is wrong
- Honda is recalling certain model year 2003 honda accord, civic two and four door, and model year 2003-2004 honda element vehicles. The interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated.
- Risk
- Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will remove the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch, and replace them with new, designed components. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on october 7, 2010. Owners may contact honda at 1‑800‑999‑1009.
Recall number 10V364000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Ignition Shift Interlock
On August 4, 2010, American Honda Motor Co. (Honda) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to the federal safety agency regarding a ignition interlock defect in approximately 384,220 model year (MY) 2003 Honda Accord and Civic and MY 2003 and 2004 Honda Element vehicles with automatic transmissions (Recall 10V‑364).In a September 22, 2010 supplemental DIR, Honda expanded the scope of the recall population based on manufacturing and complaint data.The total population for the complete recall is approximately 551,498 vehicles.The information listed in this closing report refers only to the subject vehicles, MY 2003 Accords with automatic transmissions.According to Honda's DIR, Under certain conditions the interlock lever of the ignition switch may unexpectedly deform, which can allow the interlock function of a vehicle with an automatic transmission to be defeated if the driver does not follow the typical shut-down procedure of shifting the gear selector to the Park position before rotating the ignition key to the off position. Removal of the ignition key when the gear selector of a vehicle with an automatic transmission has not been shifted to the Park position can allow the vehicle to roll away, increasing the risk of a crash.Honda's dealers will be instructed to inspect the ignition interlock switch and, if necessary, replace the original interlock pin and lever within the ignition switch and replace them with new, redesigned parts.This investigation is closed.
EA09001
What 2004 Honda Element owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2004 Honda Element. The contact stated that after the vehicle was shifted into park(P), the vehicle would roll forward or roll backward. Additionally, the key would remain stuck in the ignition, causing the contact to have to maneuver the key to release the key from the ignition switch. The failure occurred intermittently; however, the key was still stuck in the ignition. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.
While driving or out of park position ignition key can be removed.also while in park eith switch in on podsition the ignition key can be removed. I have had ignition switch fixed twice within a 6 month period. First time occurred september 9 , 2019 other time was march,2020.
Srs light on. Honda dealer wants $$ to diagnose, but this should be a safety issue.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. Upon entering the vehicle and inserting the key into the ignition, the key failed to turn to start the vehicle. The contact was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was taken to nalley honda brunswick (178 altama connector, brunswick, ga 31525 (912) 267-7000) where it was diagnosed with a faulty ignition that needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 10v364000 (electrical system). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The headlight switch connector overheated and melted at its terminal with the headlight switch resulting in the random failure of my headlights while driving at night. After searching more about this particular issue, I found that the same issue resulted in a recall of the part in 2001/2002 honda civics (export service bulletin 04-015, april 2004). The solution, "replace the combination light switch, the red/wht wire in the headlight wire harness and, if needed, the 16p headlight wire harness connector." I verified that it is the same red/wht wire that overheated in the connector. Why is my 2004 honda element not covered by this recall?
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 honda element. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start on the first attempt. The contact mentioned that after several times the vehicle was able to start. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100. Updated 2/24/15*cn updatd 03/03/15
The car shut down while driving and came to an instant stop. The first time this happened the vehicle shut down completely while pulling into a business. Thankfully there was no one behind me. It has been maybe a year from the first incident and now the car will flash off and on within a nano second while driving at different speeds and also while coming to a stop and turning corners. The headlights also dim at different times while driving. This is very scary and will eventually cause an accident. I will be making an appointment with the local dealer asap. I am hoping that by getting the ignition recall completed this will fix the issue.
Low beams stopped working simultaneously. Headlight bulbs were promptly replaced but the bulbs were fine. The defect was in the vehicle itself. Low beams do not work, while the high beams and running lights continue to operate normally. Honda had a recall for this, just not for the element: http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm?action_number=ea11012&searchtype=quicksearch&summary=true my local honda dealership wants $350 to fix this defect.
2004 honda element. Consumer states problem with vehicle ignition *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle had to be towed to the dealer, because the ignition was frozen and the steering wheel was locked. He was able to insert and remove the key, but it did not function. The consumer was informed by another element owner, a recall had been issued for the problem. However, honda informed the consumer the recall had already been performed on feb 1, 2011.
Questions about the 2004 Honda Element electrical
Does the 2004 Honda Element have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 18 complaints about the electrical of the 2004 Honda Element, 6% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Honda Element electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Honda Element electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V364000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Honda Element have the most electrical problems?
The Honda Element model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (35 complaints), 2007 (22 complaints) and 2004 (18 complaints).
Other 2004 Honda Element problems
Visibility 107Airbags 74Seats 26Suspension 16Seat belts 15Body 13Transmission 10Engine 7Acceleration 6Steering 6Brakes 5Tires 5Fuel system 4Lights 3Locks 3Wheels 1
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